Theodore e



T. E. HERLIHY Re. 18,288

SEPARABLE CONNECTER I Dec. 15, 1931.

Original Filed Nov. 20, 1928 13 25 24 22 IO F7621.

I N VEN TOR.

I. n w J a 0 E. m

Rei'seued Dec. 15, 1931 Q Re. 18,288

UNITED STATES PATENT mcE THEODORE E. HERLIHY, OI! LOS ANGIE-F3, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGINOR, BY DIRECT AND IMZESNE ASSIGmNTS, T0 In LUBRIOATION' CORPORATION; OF INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE 5122mm commoner.

My invention relates to and has for its primary object the provision of a separable connecter embodying a pair of members capable of being connected and disconnected with the utmost ease and dispatch, and which when connected, will be securely held against accidental separation.

It is a furthe'r'object of my invention to provide a separable connecter particularly adapted, although not necessarily, for use in lubricating systems of motor vehicles and other forms of machinery, the se arable connecter embodying a pair of flui conducting which simi members, one'of which is adapted tobe permanently. attached to a flexible hose or other .conduit leading from a-source of lubricant under ressure, and the other to an instrus mentalit to be lubricated, the members being capa le-of connection and disconnection I will describe only one fprmof separable connecter embodying my invention, and will then point-out the novel features thereof in claims. 7

In the accompanyin drawings, Fig. 1 is a longitu view of one form of separable connector embodying my invention, and illustrating one of the positions capable of being occupied by,

the members of the connecter' relatively to each other during the operation of connecting the members;

i Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. "1 'andiillustrating the members fully connected forthe palssage oflubricant from one member to the ot er; c, v v Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in elevation looking'at-Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows 33; and

Fig. 4 is a view of one of the members of the connector, taken on the line-4-4 of Fig. 2 and looking in-thevdirection of the arrows; I

Referring specifically to the drawings in at reference characters designate nal' central sectionalwith the utmost ease, and when connected,

fragmentary detail sectional at the joint.

1928; Application SOUTH BEND,

similar-parts in each of theseveral views, my I invention in its present embodiment comprises a socket member S, a head member H, insertable into the socket member, and a means'designated generally at A for detachably connecting the members in such manner that the members can be connected or disconnected with theutmost ease and dispatch. The members are preferably constructed in a manner to provide' fluid conduits therethrough, adapted to communicate with each vother when the members are connected; and

the members as illustrated are particularly adapted for use in lubricating systems for lubricating parts of motor vehicles and other with a duct leading to a bearing or other instrumentality to be lubricated. The socket member is capable ofbeing a plied to and removed from the head member at will and when connected to the latter, the means A above, referred to functions to prevent accidental disconnection of the members as well as to insure a fluidtight 'ointbetween the two and thus prevent lea age of lubricant The socket member S comprises a bod 10 of metal having alongitudinally exten ing cylindrical bore 11 threaded at one end of the bodyv asindicated at 12, and communigliso cating at its other end with a socket 13 hav-' ing a head receiving receiving opening 15, cating with each other and being disposed res ectively at a side and at an end. of the oplening 14 and a shanke openings communib0 y. A ca 16 is provided with an externalthreade portlon 17 threaded into the l threaded end 12 of the bore 11 so as to close the respective end of the body, and is provided with a reduced cylindrical extension 18 projecting into the bore 11. Through the cap 16 extends an axial duct 19 terminating at one end at the free end of the extension and .at its other end communicating with a i pocket 20 internally threaded to permit connection of the socket member S to a'fiexible nose 21 or other conduit leading from a source of lubricant supply under pressure. The body or member generally designated 5 duit or sleeve'and may be referred to by any such appellation in the claims; however no specific limitation upon any claim is desired or intended tobe imposed by the use of any one term, since the terms are used in a sub L .stantially synonymous manner.

The means A above referred to comprises in the present instance a plunger 22 slidably mounted in the bore H and being in the form of an open ended cylinder, into one end of which projects the extension 18 of the cap 16. The other end of the plunger is provided with an inwardly projecting, flange 23 against which abuts a flat washer 24 having an axially disposed outlet port 25. Within 7 the plunger is a second and cup-shaped washer 26 having an axial inlet port 27. The interior of the plunger between-the washers 24 and 26 broadly constitutes a pressure cham-' her 28 communicating with the inlet port 27- and outlet port 25'of the respective washers; and interpose between the washers is a ;coiled expansi le spring 29 which broadly constitutes a means for normally urging the plunger to one extreme position and against a shoulder 30 formed in the body 10 at thejunct-ion between its bore 11 and socketv 13. The extension 18 broadly constitutes a.fixed abutment for the spring, a ainst which the washer 26 is'.forced by t e spring. The

. plunger or member generally designated 22, 1n fact constitutes a hollow inner tube, conduit or sleeve and ma be referred to by any such appellation in the claims,- however as with respect to'the member 10, no specific limitation upon any claim is desired or intended to be imposed by the use of any one such term, since the terms are used in 'a substantially synonymous manner. I

The head member H in the present instance is constructed t provide a spherical head 31 from whichexte'nds a shank 32 having a wrench receiving flange .33 and an externally threaded extremity 34 by means of 5 which the head member is adapted to be screwed into a suitably threaded duct leading to a bearing or other instrumentalityto be lubricated the head member being hollow to provide a p uid conduit 35 therethrough terminating at one end in an inlet port 36 adapted to register, with the outlet port 25 of the washer 24 when the head occupies the posi- .7

tion in the socket 13 shown in Fig. 2. i

' The operation of the separable connecter .60 isasfollows: A

' Let it be assumed that the head member H s secured to a bearing B as' illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, and that the socket member S issecured'to the hose 21 to which lubricant under pressure is supplied, it being underin fact constitutes a hollowoouter tube, con- I stood that the flow of lubricant through the hose is controlled by a suitable valve (not shown). A 4

The operation of applyin the socket member S to the head member to connect the two for the passage of lubricant through the connecter is accomplished either by initially applying the socket member to the head 31 to seat the latter in the socket 13 with the socket member projecting laterally from the head member as shown in Fig. 1, and then swinging the socket member bodily through an arc of 90 degrees to the position shown in Fig. 2,

so that the-shank 32 of the head member is disposed insthe shank receiving opening 15 arid the outlet and inlet ports 25 and 36 register, or by applying the socket member direct- 1y to the head member from the side ofthe latter in the parallel position of the head member relative to the socket membershown in Fig. 2. The provision of these two ways of applying the socket member to the head member is a decided advantage in conditions 1 where the head member is accessible only from certain directions and but minimum space is available in which to manipulate the socket member:

It will be noted that in the extreme position of the plunger 22 in which it abuts the shoulder 30, the'plunger projects a slight dis; tance into the socket 13, so that ininserting thehead 31 into the socket, the plunger is forced rearwardly by the head away from the shoulder 30, and it will thus be clear that under the urging action of the spring 29, the plunger will be maintained in engagement with the head and will force the latter against the wall of the socket 13 on opposite sides .of the shank receiving opening 15, so that the head will be frictionally maintained against accidental displacement from the socket. v

With the head and socketmembers connected and occu ying the relative positions shown in Fig. 2,1t will be clear that lubricant under pressure from the hose 21 will pass through the duct 19, inlet port 27, pressure chamber 28, outlet port 25, inlet port 36 and thence through the conduit 35 into the bear- A ing. The lubricant in the pressure chamber 28 will, under its expansive action, force the washer 26 tightly against the. abutment formed by the extension 18 and expand the washer snugly against the inner peripheral wall" of the plunger so as to sealthe joint between the latter and washer against the escape to tendto force the plunger forwardly. and

will thus be firmly clamped in the socket 13 of lubricant, and will also function to exert v pressure upon the inner face of the washer 24 and the joint between the plunger and head tightly sealed against the leakage of lubricant, and it will be clear that the greater the pressure-of lubricant in the chamber 28, the

moretightly will the joint between the plunger and head be sealed against leakage, and

the more firmly will the head be clamped in 5 the socket. When the flow of lubricant is discontinued from the hose 21 and the pressure in the chamber 28 thereby relieved, the spring 29 will, under its urging action, maintain the head and socket members connected, yet will permit the members to be readily disconnected when desired. L

Although the separable-connecter embody of conduits conducting fluids under pressure to provide a detachable connection with a in lubricating systems, it will be readily apparent that it is capableof use in many forms 1 joint sealed against leakage of fluid. Furwasher 1n the plunger adaptedto abutthe thermore, my separable connecter could also be employed in ignition systems of automobiles to provide a detachable current conductingconnection between the spark, plugs of the vehicles motor and the conductors for 5 supplying current to the plugs. In this latter through the members could. of course, be dispensed with and reliance placed solely on the spring 29 to maintain the members connected.

scribed only one form. of my invention, it is to'be understood that various changes and modifications "may be made therein without depa rting from thespirit of the invention and 5 the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

claim:

1. A separable conne ter comprising a member including a body having a longitudinal bore and a socket communicating.

' .with one end of the bore, a cap closing the other end of the bore and having a reduced extens on projecting axially into the bore, the

with the duct 1n the cap, a spring in the plunger interposed'between the washers for urging the plunger to one extreme position, and a head member insertable into said socket and constructed to provide a fluid conwasher.

2. A separable connecter as defined iii.

Although I have herein shown and de usepfmy invention, the lubricant conduits 'tudinal bore an the side of the body and the headmember swung through a predetermined angle to a position wherein its shank is disposed in the shank receiving opening and its inlet.port i reglsters with the outlet port at the first.

other end of the bore and having a re uced extension prO ecting axially into the bore,

thecap having an axial duct therethrough, a tubular plunger slidably mounted in the bore and into one end of which said extension projects, a washer constituting a seal closin the other end of the plunger and provided with an outlet port, a second and cup shaped extension and having a port ada ted to register with the duct in'the-cap, an the plunger interposed between the was for urging the plunger to one extreme position.

4. A separable connecter comprising a' member including a body having a longi-' tubular plunger slidably mounted in the bore and into one end of which said extension roa spring in ers jects, means for sealing the other end 0 the outlet port, a cup shaped washer m the! plunger adapted to abut the extension and having a port adapted to register with the ductin the cap, and a spring in the plunger interposed between the washer and the seal=- ing means for urging the plunger to one extreme position.

5. A separable connecter comprising a member includin a body having a longi tudinal bore an .a socket communicating with one end of the bore, a cap closin the other end of the bore and having a re uced duit having an'inlet port adapted to register with the outlet port of the firstumentioned o nin disposed respectively at'a side of asd at- :n end of the body, and said head member includes a spherical head and'a shank, whereby to permit the head to be in-- extension projecting'axially into the bore; the cap having an axial duct therethrough,

a tubular plunger slidably mounted. in the bore and into one end of which said extension projects, means for sealing the other end of v the plunger, said means beln provided with an outlet port, means for sea ing the portion of the plunger within which said extension projects from other portions of the plunger,

said last named means having a to register with the .duct m t e cap, and resilient means positioned in the plunger be tween the two said sealing means for urging the plunger to one extreme position.

.6. A lubricating coupler comprising a sleeve having a ball. receiving socket formed within and adjacent. one end and an opening through aside wall adjacent said end for port adapted v 05 cap having an axial duct therethrough, a V

' ing sealing engagement with the spherical head of a fitting in said socket and for clamping said head within said socket.

7. A coupler and lubricant nozzle for a ball-head lubrication fitting of the character described comprising outer and inner telescoping and relatively slidable sleeves, one of said sleeves being adapted at one end for connection with a grease supply means, a ball receiving socket formed in the end of the outer sleeve at the end thereof remote from said grease supply connection, said inner sleeve at its end remote from said supply connection being adapted to secure the ball-head between it and sa1d remote end of the outer sleeve and in said socket,;and means normally resiliently urging said remote ends of said sleeves toward one another.

8. A coupler and lubricant nozzle for a ball-head lubrication fitting having a lubricant receiving duct through the ball-head comprising, .an outer sleeve having a head at one end and a ball receiving socket within said head in communication with a slot extending transversely'of the axis of the sleeve, said head also having an opening througha side wall into said socket for passage of the ball-head of a fitting into said socket, said slot being of less width than the diameterof the ball-head of a fitting, an inner sleeve slidably mounted within the outer sleeve and having one end movable into said ball receiving socket, and means operated by lubricant under pressure for urging said ends of said sleeves relatively toward one another for securin the ball-head of a fitting in said socket.

9. cou ler and lubricant nozzle for a ball head lubrication fitting Having a ,neck and alubricant receiving duct through the head and neck comprising a sleeve having one end formed to provide an internal socket thereat for the reception of the ball-headof a fitting throughout a wide angular range, said sleeve having an opening through a side wall into said socket for passage of the ball-head therethrough into the socket, said sleeve end having a slot extending partially thereacross transverselythereof and communicating with said socket and opening, said slot. being of less widththan'the diameter of said ball-head and at least equal to the thickness of said -neck of said fitting, and lubricantpressure operative means for securing the ball-head of a fitting within said socket.

10. A coupler and lubricant nozzle for a ball-head lubrication fitting having a neck and lubricant receiving duct through the head therethrough into the socket, said sleeve end having a. slot extending partially thereacro'ss transversely thereof and communicating with said socket and opening, said slot being of less Width than the diameter of said ball-head and I at least equal to the thickness of said neck of said fitting, and means slidably mounted in said sleeve for automatically but releasably securing the" ball-head of a fitting in said; socket and making a lubricant-tight seal with v v said ball-head.

11. A coupler and lubricant nozzle for a ball-head lubrication fitting .having a neck and lubricant receiving ductthrough the head and neck comprising a sleeve having one end formed to p-r'ovide an internal socket thereat for the reception of the ball-head ofa fitting throughout a wide angular range, said sleeve having an opening through a side Wall 1nto said socket for passage of the ball head there through into the socket, and lubricant pressure operative means for securing the ballhead of a fitting within said socket.

12. A coupler for servicing a ball-head 111- brication fitting comprising a sleeve, having a ball receiving socket adjacent to one" end and having an opening through aside wall adjacent to'said end for the reception of'the ball-head of said fittingtherethrough, asecond sleeve mounted within the first said sleeve for sliding movementstoward and from said' socket,,and havingits end nearest to'said socket formed with a beveled edge whereby the insertion of said fitting into said socket initially cams said last named sleeve away from said socket, and resilient means'normally urging said second sleeve toward said said fitting may be snapped socket, whereby into said socket.

. A coupler for servicing a ball-head lui I brication fitting comprising a pair of tele scoping and relatively slidable sleeves, one

of said sleeves being formed with a ball receiving socket for the reception of the ballhead of said lubrication fitting, and means normally urging the other said sleeve to cooperate with said fitting to 'securethe ballhead of the fitting in said socket, one of said sleeves being formed with a beveled edge portion whereby the insertion of saidiballhead into said socket initially cams one said sleeve relatively to the other.

In witness whereof, I have aflixed my signature.

THEODORE E ER I Y. 

